Daily verses for contemplation and absorption.

from The Thirty Seven Practices of Bodhisattvas, by
Ngulchu Thogme Zangpo, today's verse:

18. Though you lack what you need and are constantly disparaged,
Afflicted by dangerous sickness and spirits,
Without discouragement take on the misdeeds
And the pain of all living beings --
This is the practice of Bodhisattvas.

19. Though you may become famous and many bow to you,
And you gain riches to equal Vaishravana's,
See that worldly fortune is without essence,
And do not be conceited --
This is the practice of Bodhisattvas.

20. While the enemy of your own anger is not subdued
Though you conquer external foes, they will only increase.
Therefore with the militia of love and compassion
Subdue your own mind --
This is the practice of Bodhisattvas.

21. Sensual pleasures are like saltwater:
The more you indulge, the more thirst increases.
Abandon at once those things which breed
Clinging attachment --
This is the practice of Bodhisattvas.

22. Whatever appears is your own mind.
Your mind from the start is free from fabricated extremes.
Understanding this, do not take to mind [inherent] signs of subject and object.
This is the practice of Bodhisattvas.

23. When you encounter attractive objects,
Though they seem beautiful
Like a rainbow in summer, do not regard them as real, and give up attachment.
This is the practice of Bodhisattvas.

Note: This doesn't mean you can't enjoy beauty,
but that you realize it's transient nature,
and are not attached to the temporal illusions.

24. All forms of suffering are like a child's death in a dream.
Holding illusory appearances to be true makes you weary.
Therefore, when you meet with disagreeable circumstances,
See them as illusory --
This is the practice of Bodhisattvas.

25. When those who want enlightenment must give even their body,
There is no need to mention external things.
Therefore without hope of return or any fruition
Give generously --
This is the practice of Bodhisattvas.

26. Without ethics you cannot accomplish your own wellbeing,
So wanting to accomplish others' is laughable.
Therefore without worldly aspirations
Safeguard your ethical discipline --
This is the practice of Bodhisattvas.

27. To Bodhisattvas who want a wealth of virtue
Those who harm are like a precious treasure.
Therefore towards all cultivate patience
Without hostility --
This is the practice of Bodhisattvas.

28. Seeing even Hearers and Solitary Realizers, who accomplish only their own good,
Strive as if to put out a fire on their head,
For the sake of all beings make joyful effort
Toward the source of all good qualities --
This is the practice of Bodhisattvas.

29. Understanding that disturbing emotions are destroyed
By special insight with calm abiding,
Cultivate concentration which surpasses
The four formless absorptions --
This is the practice of Bodhisattvas.

30. Since five perfections without wisdom
Cannot bring perfect enlightenment,
Along with skillful means cultivate the wisdom which does not conceive the
Three spheres [as real] --
This is the practice of Bodhisattvas.

31. If you do not examine your errors,
You may look like a practitioner but not act as one.
Therefore, always examining your own errors,
Rid yourself of them --
This is the practice of Bodhisattvas.

32. If through the influence of disturbing emotions
You point out the faults of another Bodhisattva,
You yourself are diminished, so do not mention the faults
Of those who have entered the Great Vehicle --
This is the practice of Bodhisattvas.

33. Reward and respect cause us to quarrel
And make hearing, thinking and meditating decline.
For this reason give up attachment to them.

This is the practice of Bodhisattvas.

34. Harsh words disturb the minds of others
And cause deterioration in a Bodhisattva's conduct.
Therefore give up harsh words
Which are unpleasant to others --
This is the practice of Bodhisattvas.

35. Habitual disturbing emotions are hard to stop through counter actions.
Armed with antidotes, the guards of mindfulness and mental alertness
Destroy disturbing emotions like attachment at once, as soon as they arise --
This is the practice of Bodhisattvas.

36. In brief, whatever you are doing,
Ask yourself, "What is the state of my mind?"
With constant mindfulness and mental alertness
Accomplish others' good --
This is the practice of Bodhisattvas.

37. To remove the suffering of limitless beings,
Understanding the purity of the three spheres,
Dedicate the virtue from making such effort to enlightenment --
This is the practice of Bodhisattvas.

3. By avoiding bad objects, disturbing emotions gradually decrease.
Without distraction, virtuous activities naturally increase.
With clarity of mind, conviction in teaching arises.
Cultivate seclusion --
This is the practice of Bodhisattvas.

5. When you keep their company your three poisons increase,
Your activities of hearing thinking and meditating decline,
And they make you lose your love and compassion.
Give up bad friends --
This is the practice of Bodhisattvas.

6. When you rely on them your faults come to an end
And your good qualities grow like the waxing moon.
Cherish spiritual teachers even more than your own body --
This is the practice of Bodhisattvas.

9. Like dew on the tip of a blade of grass, pleasures of the three worlds
Last only a while and then vanish.
Aspire to the never-changing supreme state of liberation --
This is the practice of Bodhisattvas.

10. When your mothers, who have loved you since time without beginning,
Are suffering, what use is your own happiness?
Therefore to free limitless living beings,
Develop the altruistic intention --
This is the practice of Bodhisattvas.